Blow (2001)

Johnny Depp plays real-life coke smuggler George Jung, who rises from poverty to become one of the biggest drug dealers in America before his eventual downfall.

One of the things about this movie, is that right from the beginning, you start to think of this movie as Boogie Nights, or Goodfellas, for that matter. However, it would be wrong to compare it to both, considering their all different, they just share the same love of coke.

Coke is a terrible thing we have in this world. People do it, people get addicted, and then they die. But I have always been interested in seeing how it got in to our country in the first place, and this film shows us the rusty beginnings. We follow George through his whole life basically, as he goes from one drug dealer, to another, to another, and it’s all so entertaining. We see all these different people, some real, some fake, but it’s all great cause were there along for the ride.

The screenplay is filled with some good humor, as well as some true insight, on how these people feel about business, drugs, and the world. But it’s not just all about the fun in this movie, it’s also about the harsh reality that is the drug world. We see these people destroy lives of others, as well as themselves, and it’s a harsh reality because they always get themselves stuck in the same stupid situations. It’s more sad, then it is riveting, because they can’t escape it, cause they make all this money with drugs, and when that’s over, they got nowhere else to go, so they go right back to the drugs.

There are moments in this film that are glorious, especially by the end, where you really do feel emotionally attached to the story, but there are just other moments where it’s too messy. I feel like with this film, they were trying to give us so much, in big heavy doses, to the point of where, we were just kind of like whatever to it. I wish some parts were toned down, for the story’s sake, but those moments are blown out of the water, by some very good scenes here.

Johnny Depp once again is just perfect here as George Jung. Depp uses his charm, wit, and overall coolness about him, that keeps us attached to this character, and watching. Jung may be a bit full of himself, but I still felt attached to him by the end of the film, and he’s just a very sad character. Penelope Cruz is also good here, playing his crazy wife, that brings so much to her scenes. Ray Liotta is also very good, and him and Depp, have some very good scenes together, that add a lot more emotion to the story. I thought it was funny that Rachel Griffiths was in this movie playing Depp’s mom, considering she’s about 7 years younger than Depp in real life, but it’s all good, cause she’s good, at being a naggy bitch of a mother. Also, let’s not forget the man Paul Reubens, who is terrific, as well as hilarious, as Derek Foreal, a very feminine drug deal.

Consensus: It’s a bit messy at points, but Blow delivers on providing an interesting story, with a smart, as well as true screenplay, and an amazing performance from the Johnny Depp.

4 responses to “Blow (2001)”

First off, Johnny played a beautiful part when his lover died of cancer. And to top it off your review does nothing to the movie because the movie is so compassionate and caring that it doesn’t even matter. George has suffered his whole life without talking to his parents or his child because he wanted to provide the future he never had. You can not blame a man for trying to provide for his family.

I can’t remember how many times I’ve watched this movie but each time it hooks me in this epic way, like Scarface or Donnie Brascoe, like Goodfellas or even There Will Be Blood – the story and characters are so compelling I’m drawn in each time and I want to follow them even though I know they’re going bad places and bad stuff is going to happen.

Depp delivers another solid, memorable role here and his range is ever present, moving easily from silly to serious and as Rick points out the scenes with his lover and her ultimate death is powerful stuff. I particularly like the actress who plays his mother (if it weren’t so late I’d google it) and of course Cruz and Liotta are great. They give nuance to simple characters and elevate them to something lesser talent could never do.

I can’t say I have many complaints about the film other than it is heavy at times, dark and eventually gets wrapped up a little too nicely in the end. Can’t go without mentioning Paul Rubens – he was perfect here.